TUF 11 Sherblog: It Sucks, But It’s Reality

We’re at the conclusion of the first round of fights in the house and Chuck picked me to fight Nick Ring. I had asked him a week or so before how he had felt about me fighting Nick and all of my coaches agreed that it was a good match.

I tapered off practice a little bit and cut weight without too much trouble. The weigh-ins ran about two hours late. Like usual, we were waiting on the commission. The morale on our team was good, as our practices were solid and strategic.

The only thing that sucked was that I was missing my family. I think everyone in the house was kind of missing their regular lifestyle. That’s one of the downfalls of the show is that you had no contact with your family. It either helped keep your focus or broke you. Even though I was missing my family, it definitely was a motivational factor for me.

In the last episode of the show, assistant coach John Hackleman gave us a speech. He pretty much said that if you fight your hardest, whether you lose or win, if you leave it all there, there is nothing to hang your head about.

When the decision was announced after my fight with Ring, I was frustrated about the decision, but I didn’t hang my head. I felt like I had won three quarters of the first round. I pressured and out-struck Ring in the second round. I felt as though the decision was based upon his kicks. I don’t know exactly what the judges saw.

Chuck was pissed, as you could tell, and for good reason. All of my team, including half of the red team, all figured I either should have gotten a third round, or won. In my mind, there is no way I got beat. No f---ing way. At the very least, I deserved a third round. I don’t feel like I won, but I sure as hell didn’t lose.

The only real damage I took was to my left nut. It bruised and swelled up to the size of an apple. That s--- sucked. Now, it looked like the only way I would be back in it was with the wild card, although all I really wanted was a third round.

After the fight was over, we went back to our corner. I heard Chuck arguing with UFC President Dana White and some of the commission officials. I felt as though Dana agreed that it should have gone to a third round. I don’t know if the judges were biased because Nick was the No. 1 pick, or they were just really that bad.

In my MMA career, I’ve had a few fights go to decision and that’s just something I can’t let happen again. I have to push a little extra in practice and in the cage to try and finish. That’s all part of the game. It sucks, but it’s reality. Here I am on “The Ultimate Fighter,” in the first round, and now I’m out. I just head straight back to practice, put in the work and leave it in the hands of the coaches. There’s no way I’m going to let this loss hold me back. I’ve worked too damn hard to get where I’m at. If I’m picked for the wild card, the next guy I face I will finish.

The coaches’ challenge was dodgeball. Before the rules meeting, Chuck was running wind sprints and stretching. He’s probably the most intense guy I’ve ever met when it comes to competition. If he’s in it, he’s in it to win it -- especially if it’s against Tito.

The episode didn’t show this, but they had a warm-up game. Chuck and his coaches won that one too. It was kind of nice, as we got $1500 for it. Some of the guys on my team went half and half with guys on the other team, deciding beforehand that they would split the money either way no matter which team won. I thought it was kind of risky, so I didn’t do that. I had a feeling Chuck would win.

So, I’m $1500 ahead and one fight down. But I’ve got a place to sleep, good food to eat and excellent coaches and partners. I’m definitely not satisfied, though. I was there for one reason, and one reason only, and that was to win.

To find out more information about Court McGee, visit his Web site at www.courtmcgee.net and follow him on Twitter Twitter